The Center of Transport International Affairs of China's Ministry of Transport and UK's Institute of Charted Shipbrokers reach a cooperation deal on maritime professionals training during the Economic Trade and Investment Cooperation Symposium taking place in Shanghai on March 28. [Photo/Pudong Times]

A large number of shipping experts from China and abroad attended the Economic Trade and Investment Cooperation Symposium at the Shanghai Maritime and Finance Excellence Center in the city's Pudong New Area on March 28.

One highlight of the event was the cooperation deal struck between the Center of Transport International Affairs of China's Ministry of Transport and UK's Institute of Charted Shipbrokers. The two institutions agreed to work together to train maritime professionals.

The move was in line with Shanghai's plan to attract and nurture talented personnel in the shipping industry and should prove conducive to furthering the city's goal of becoming an international shipping center.

Additionally, a group of top international institutions and companies, including Maritime London, Institute of Charted Shipbrokers, Royal Institution of Naval Architects, and Zhonggu Shipping Group, announced moves into the center, which will turn the center into a hub of top shipping institutions and professionals.

Zhang Binhua, executive officer of the Shanghai Maritime and Finance Excellence Center, said they hope to gather together more shipping-related companies to form a complete industrial chain, making the center a worldwide industrial landmark.

Lu Qixing, deputy director of Pudong Commission of Commerce, said that the arrival of a large number of international shipping institutions indicates a growing awareness of the great potential of Pudong's shipping industry.